Wire-baking oven.



No. 878,289. PATENTBD PEB. 4, 1908. H. 8. HUMPHREY.

WIRE BAKING OVEN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE13,1907.

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No. 878,289. PATENTED PEB. 4, 1.908. H. B. HUMPHREY.

WIRE BAKING OVEN. 4

'APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,1907. I

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No. 878,289. PATENTBD FEB. 4, 1908.

H. B. HUMPHREY.

WIRE BAKING OVEN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13,1907.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

HARRY B. HUMPHREY, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO IIUMPI'IREY & SONS, OF JOLIET,

ILLINOIS, A OOPARTNERSIIIP CONSISTING OF HORACE B. HUINIPHREY.

FRED llUMPI'IREY AND HARRY WIRE-BAKING OVEN.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

Application led June 13. 1907. Serial No. 378.825-

To all whom t lmay concer/a.'

Beit known that I, HARRY B. HUMPHREY, a citizen of' the VUnited States, residing at Joliet, .in the county of Vill and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use- 'ful Improvements in W'ire-Baking Ovens, of which the following' is a specification.

In the operation ol wireA drawing, it is customary to receive the raw material from the rolling mill in the form of rods which are usually coated with rust and scale; and, in order to prepare the rods for the wire drawing operation, it is necessary to immerse the reels, around which the rods are wound, in an acid and thereafter to neutralize the effect of the acid by the use of an alkali such as lime or similar substance. If the wire were immediately delivered to the drawing blocks it would be coated or covered with a neutralized acid which would quickly tend to impair the quality and strength of the completed wire, for which reason it is necessary to subject the raw rods to a baking operation in order to thoroughly dry out the acid and deliver the rods in clean condition to the wire drawing blocks. In some cases it has been customary to bake the rods in a steam heated oven, but this method is objectionable in view ot' the moisture which will always be present in steam heated ovens, for which reason dry heat provides the only satisfactory means of baking the rods preparatory' to their being drawn into wire.

The object of "the present invention is to provide an oven in which the rods can be subjected to a high degree of dry heat, and the invention particularly relates to the construction of the oven whereby the metal portions of the oven are prevented from direct contact with the lire and the deterioration or burning out which would occur were the metallic parts not protected.

The invention further relates to the means provided for securing a circulation of fresh heated dry air which tends to quickly carry off the acid 4fumes and at the same time prevents the oven plates from burningout when subjected to the high temperature necessary in baking the wire rods.

The invention further relates to the general arrangement of the oven as a whole and to the structural features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a haltl sectional plan view oli' the entire oven, the upper portion of the ligure showing the oven Iloor with the roof removed, the lower portion the ilue construction, Fig. 2 a cross sectional View taken on line 2h12 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an end elevation showing the doors controllingthe several compartments; Fig.. 4 a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1 Fig. 5 an enlarged detail showing the method ol supporting the Vl'loor structure; Fig. 6 a detail plan view of the lloor structure and Fig. 7 a sectional detail showing the method ot' securing the oven partitions to the roof.

The oven as a whole is of rectangular shape and comprises a lower or flue structure 6, which is preferably positioned below the itloor level et' the wire mill, and an upper or baking structure 7, which is preferably positioncd abovethe floor. The Ilue structure comprises a front sidewall S, a rear side wall 9, and end walls l0. At the front corners of the ilue structure are located grates 11, one of which is shown in Fig. 1, and the grates are in direct communication with initial flue passages 12, which are "lormed between the end walls 10 and the Iirst inner i'lue walls 13. It will be understood that the l'lue structure is the same at both ends of the furnace so that the half sectional view shown in Fig. 1 is symmetrical from end to end, and it is not deemed necessary to show in detail both ends of the lue structure. The 'Iirst inner lue walls terminate inside of the rear wall 9, leaving a communicating Ilue passage 14 which connects the initial 'flue passage 12 with a second ll'lue 15, which in turn communicates with a third :flue 16. The third llue communicates with a fourth llue 17, which latter communicates with a `linal -flue 18 terminating in a stack 19. The second, third, fourth and Vlinal ilue passages are separated from one another by VIlue partitions 20, 21 and 22, which are arranged in staggered relation with respect to their open ends so as to provide a sinuous or devious path of travel for the heated products of combustion prior to their discharge through the stack.

VThe two companion ends of the 'flue structure are separated from one another by a center partition wall 23, which is located in line with the stack, so that the same stack serves as an outlet for both gratos. The llue passages, with the exception of the initial passages, are covered directly by the iron `llooring 24 of the oven chambers, but the initial flues, which are directly exposed to the action of the fire, are protectedby a fire arch 25, which extends from end to end of the initial flue. The fire arch is composed of fire brick or similar nonfusible substance, and, immediately above the grate, comprises a supplemental thickness or layer 26, shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which affords complete protection for the iron floor of the baking ovens at the point where the floor is most exposed to the heat. The arch extends between the end wall and the Hrst Hue partition and is supported at its rear end on a bridge casting or plate 27 which arches over the rear end of the initial flue at the point of exit through the passageway 14. The arch is so located as to provide a space 28 between the arch and the iron floor, which space extends from end to end immediately above the initial Hue and affords, in effect, a heating chamber for the supply of heated fresh air to the baking ovens for the purpose of creating a circulation which will tend to quickly dry out the wire rods and carry off the fumes of the acid.

The heating space or chamber 28 has opening thereinto, through the end wall, a series of damper regulated ports 29, and the iron Hoor of the baking ovens or pockets, immediately above the arch, is provided with a plurality of holes or perforations 30, which permit the air, which enters through the ports 29 and passes over the heated arch, to rise up into the several ovens or pockets of the baking portion of the structure. In order to reinforce the arched Hue structure, upper and lower tie rods 31 and 32 are run through the outer end wall and the first inner partition wall, which rods, at their outer ends, are secured to exterior vertical tie bars 33, which fully reinforces the structure and prevents the walls from spreading by the weight of the arch. v

rI`he baking portion of the structure comprises a plurality of pockets or ovens 34, running in transverse relation to the Hue partition walls, and of any number to suit the required capacity of the oven. 1n the present case seven ovens or pockets are shown, which extend from end to end of the structure, although it is obvious that a greater or less number of pockets or ovens might be employed. As before stated, the Hoor 24 of the ovens is formed of iron and is supported directly on the flue partition walls. The Hoor is composed of a plurality of iron plates 36, each of the connecting plates being provided at one of its edges with an offset flange 37, and the plate having, at some distance from its other edge, a vertically extending Hange 38. The offset Hanges 37 terminate in vertical flanges 39, which lie in parallel relation with and at a slight distance from the flanges 38 on the adjacent section of the flooring. T his arrangement provides a recess or channel for the lower edge of a sheet iron partition wall 40, and the space or channel around the edge of the partition wall, is preferably filled with sand, which serves as a packing to prevent the fumes traveling through the Hues from passing into the baking chamber above. The offset Hange 37 overlies the edge of the adj acent floor section, which latter is provided,

near its edge, with a V-shaped channel 41, in parallel relation with the vertical Hange 38, which channel is adapted to receive a packing, preferably in the form of an asbestos rope, which is compressed between the overlapping edges of the Hoor sections and serves to prevent the escape of the sand filling, the weight of the plate being sufficient',

to hold the packing rope tightly compressed.

The ovens are inclosed by a roof 42, which is supported upon longitudinally extending beams 43, upon which are laid transversely extending roof bars 44. The ends of the longitudinally extending beams are entered into slide-door casings 45, at the ends of the oven, and the sides of the oven structure, as a whole, are formed by elevating the front and rear side walls 8 and 9 of the Hue structure to form front and rear oven walls 46 and 47, respectively. The roof itself is formed of sheet iron sections 48, or in any other suitable manner. The roof of each of the ovens or pockets has, near its center, a vent by means of a slide damper 50 of the usual formation. The longitudinally extending beams, intermediate their ends, are supported upon a plurality of columns 51, each of which is preferably formed of two clamping sections 51a and an interposed filler section 51h, between which and one of the clamping sections the sheet iron partition is clamped, which obviates the necessity of drilling or puncturing the partition.

Each of the ovens or pockets has, extending from end to end thereof, car tracks 52,

which, as shown, are formed by securing two pairs of bars 52a to the Hoor of the oven, in suitable manner to provide grooves for the rece tion of the car wheels, which rest direct y upon the iron Hoor of the oven. At the receiving end of the oven, which in Fig. 1 is indicated at the upper portion of the sheet, is a transversely extending switch track 53, upon which runs a car 54 of the usual character, and the switch track is, of course, located below the level of the oven tracks so that the surface of the switch car will be Hush with the level of the oven tracks, so that a car containing bundles of wire rods can be carried upon the switch car and run into any one of the ovens. The ovens are closed at their ends by means of the usual counter-weighted doors 55.

ln use, fires are started inthe two front corner furnaces, and the sinuous or devious character of the flue structure causes the products of combustiorrgtopassback and forth under the iron floor of the baking structurerhiplmlies hot', inpreparation'trthe reception of the cars containing the wire rod bundles. The arched structures, which are doubly arched immediately above the grate., prevent the flames from coming in direct contact with the I'loor at the point or' highest temperature, but serve to heat the arch to a very high degree so that the ai r enter ing the ports 2 9, which Vare equally distributedIibifi'ii'ht to reaiiof the end walls, will pass into the heating space above the arch, and be dry and heated to a high degree prior to its entrance into the outer ends of the ovens or pockets, whence it circulates to the center, where it rises and is discharged, together with the acid fumes, through the ports or openings in the center of the root of the baking structure. In this manner a high degree oit dry heat can be obtained without danger to the metal l'loor,

-and at the same time much better results can be obtained, by reason ot the circulation of the air, than it the baking were performed in an air tight chamber or oven from which the escape of the vaporized acid gases was impossible. A'lter the wire rod bundles have been thoroughly baked, the cars on which the bundles are carried can be run out of the discharge end of the baker, and cars containing 'fresh bundles run thereinto, as required. It will be noted that the lue structure, as illustrated, comprises two symmetrical end sections, and it is obvious that, in building a small baker, the structure of Fig. 1 could be cut in half, as it were, and the flue structure of but one end employed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The method of 'forming the oven flooring is one which provides a thoroughly tight joint. which at the same time possesses su'l'l'icient flexibility to provide for the necessary expansion and contraction incident to the operation o'l the baker; but the joint will remain tight under all conditions o'l usage. By the provisions of vent openings near the center of each of the baking ovens or chambers, the circulation will be carried from the ends ot' the ovens to the centerl thereby providing a complete circulation throughout the entire length of the oven structure. The construction is one which provides a substantially uniform heat throughout the entire length of the oven, so that after the rods emerge from the oven they will be thoroughly dried and in condition for further manipulation.

I/Vhat I regard as new -and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a baker of the class described, the combination oi a lue structure, a baking chamber above the flue structure and having a metallic floor provided with openings, a partition of impervious material interposed between the iire space of the ilue structure and the metallic lloor, in position to leave a heating space immediately below the openings in the iloor, and ports leading to the heating space for protecting the metallic AI'loor and providing a circulation o'l" air, substantially as described.

2. In a baker oi'- the class described, the combination oi" a flue structure, a baking chamber above the flue structure and having a metallic 'l'loor provided with openings, an arch ol impervious material interposed be- -tween the iire space of the I'lue structure and the metallic floor, in position to leave a heating space immediately below the openings in the iloor, and vports leading to the heating space for protecting the metallic -'lloor and providing a circulation ot air, substantially as described.

3. In a baker oi the class described, the combination of a Aflue structure, a baking chamber above the 'llue structure and having a Vfloor provided with openings, a partition ol' impervious material interposed between the AIire space of the 'flue structure and the l'loor, in position to leave a heating space ,immediately below the openings in the loor, and ports leading to the heating space vfor protecting the l'loor and providing a circulation et air, substantially as described.

4. In a baker oi' the class described, the combination of a 'Ilue structure, a baking chamber above the `flue structure and having a Vfloor provided with openings, an arch oi impervious material interposed between the fire space of the 'Hue structure and the iloor, in position to leave a heating space immelOO diately below the openings in the iloor, and .e

ports leading to the heating space ior protecting the floor and providing a circulation of air, substantially as described.

5. In a baker of the class described, the combination of a flue structure having sinnous passages, a stack in communication therewith, a baking structure divided into ovens running inpright angle relation with respect to the lue passages, a flooring for the ovens, provided, above the `Iirst Ilue passage, with openings, a partition o'll impervious material bridging the Iirst 'I'lue passage and leaving a heating space below the perforated floor, and ports 'for supplying air to said heating space, whereby the Afloor of the baking structure is protected and. a circulation ol" air created, substantially as described.

6. In a baker of the class described, the combination ol a l'lue structure having sinuous passages, a stack in communication therewith, a baking structure divided into ovens running in right angle relation with respect to the Ilue passages, a metallic ,['looring 'for the ovens, provided, above the first flue passage, with openings, a partition of impervious material bringing the first ilue passage and leaving a heating space below the perforated floor, and ports for supplying air to said heating space, whereby the metallic floor of the baking structure is protected and a circulation of air created, substantially as described.

7. In a baker'of the class described, the combination of a flue structure provided at each end With sinuous passages terminating in the center of the structure, a stack in communication With both sets of flue passages,'t\vo grates, one for each end of the flue structure and in direct communication with the frst lue passage of each end, an arch of impervious material above each of the first lue passages, a pluralityT of baking ovens running in right angle relation to the Hue passages and provided With metallic lloors perforated above `the impervious arch and positioned to provide a heating space in communication with said perforations, a port at each end of the structure communieating With the heating space, and a rooic provided With a vent hole for each of the baking ovens, substantially as described.

8. ln a baker of the class described, the combination of a flue structure provided at each end with sinuous passages terminating in the center of the structure, a stack in communication With Aboth sets of flue passages, tWo grates, one for each end of the llue structure and in direct communication with the iirst flue passage of each. end, an arch of impervious material above each of the iirst flue passages, a plurality of baking ovens running in right angle relation to the flue passages and provided With metallic floors perforated above the impervious arch and positioned to provide a heating space in communication With said perforations, a port at each end of the structure communieating With the heating space, a root` provided With a vent hole Jfor each of the baking ovens, ovens for completing the circulation, the metallic ioor being formed of sections, each of Which is provided at one edge With an offset iange adapted to overlie the adj acent edge of the companion section, each of the adjacent edges being further provided with a vertically extending flange forming in combination a channel adapted to be iilled With a packing, and partition Wallshaving their edges entered Within the channel and packed therein, substantially as described.

HARRY B. HUMPHREY. Witnesses:

SAMUEL N. BANNING, VALKER BANNING. 

